You can check out American Aviation in Page, Arizona as well. They are 135 sightseeing around Lake Powell and Monument Valley area. They fly 206 and 207 Turbos. Always at Max Gross out of high density airfields, some dirt, in the Arizona summers. Not for the faint of heart some days, but always fun. You really learn a thing or two about how to "make" an airplane fly!!

www.americanaviationwest.com

 

now this is just my opinion so please take it as you wish.

American aviation - i know people who worked there, and they were not too happy this summer, most moved on and some went to Grand Canyon Airlines, only plus with GCA is the twin otters, so you get multi turbine FO seat for a while, the pay is crap there too. From what i hear American Aviation is on its way out...

Air Grand Canyon has some issues too, they have the t207s and 182s, can be fun, great for time building when you have 600TT and no other place to go, most people get burned out after a season. Pay is crap!

Westwind aviation has t207 and 208s so there is a chance for some turbine, they pay better then the other three, its mostly x/c time too...

Sedona skytreks has 210, 206 and so, pay is similar to westwind, mostly x/c time too but they only have 5 pilots, and not many openings...

hope this helps

 

I'm curious, what do you mean when you say the pay is crap?

 

average 70$ a day

 

I didn't say that American Aviation was a good company, but it is good experience. Most of the VFR 135 jobs out there have terrible pay. I was making 1500.00 per month, salary, when I did the canyon thing. If you are going to get one of those jobs, know your regs and limits and stick by them, because you are the only one who will keep yourself out of trouble with some of those operators. They are all places to get your feet wet and gain some experience.

GCA is a good company with good people, but you will sit in the right seat for a long while if you are at VFR 135 Mins. Westwind likes to hire the instructors from their own flight school, so you really won't have much chance there unless they are really short handed.

 

I can't believe any pilot would accept 70 dollars a day. Maybe people justify working at that wage so they can get on with a regional (oh heavens, something turbine!). Then they get to make 100 a day. Another great rip off. I'm not saying working in Alaska is the way to go, but pay is better up here no matter what you do. Hageland will work guys in the right seat of the Caravan for a few months (if less than 1000 hours), still making around 100 a day, maybe more, then put them in the 207 making 220 or 225 a day. Its all in the bush though, but 15 days on, 15 off is pretty good in most people's opinion. Commuting is pretty easy/cheap. Plus, Sundays are paid with not much in the way of schedules or work. The flying has to be more fun up here, much more dynamic. Please, don't work for $70 a day. Anyone who is should demand a raise and quit if not given one.

I don't work for the company mentioned above, but they are a good example of work up here.

 

I thought hageland Wanted 1500 TT to fly 207's for them. Or do they hire pilots with less time?

 

I think they'll hire with less time when needed. They regularly hire with less time, 500 or so total (maybe lower), but start them in the right seat of the caravan. Be prepared to do your own weather checks, verify your own loading of the aircraft, and often loading it and fueling it yourself. Not a big deal with a 207 though. I just can't understand why people take a lot of the jobs they do as pilots. Grow a pair and demand to get paid what you're worth. Sorry, that may seem harsh, but its my attitude.

 

AKfreighter,
Thanks. I will just have to mail a resume in and see. Should pass 500 next week. Plus I have worked in AK for the last 2 years.

 

Working in AK will help. Do you mind if I ask where you are working, and for who? I'm guessing you're instructing at Merril. Go into Hagelands office at ANC and try to talk to Robert Willoughby their CP. See if they need someone, and put your name in the hat. The pay does suck as an FO, but it will get better.